Mancunian post-punk bands aren’t hard to come by, but bands as underrated and influential as The Chameleons are a bit more thin on the ground.
A firm favourite of John Peel and said to influence numerous bands such as Ride, The Verve, Interpol, The National and even Moby, these guys were well ahead of the game long before influencing became a career option for social media’s least talented.
In the early 1980s The Chameleons were known to sell out gigs faster than Tesco sold out its bumper packs of loo roll in March 2020, but as is sometimes the way, they never made it past the cult band status. Of course, that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing for their hardcore following who didn’t have to witness ‘their’ band morph into a watered-down commercial version of their former selves, but it did seem like a bit of a waste that more people hadn’t experienced their enthralling sound, or at least not directly from the horse’s mouth.
The current line up includes ever-present frontman and bassist, Mark Burgess, flanked by original guitarist Reg Smithies, and guitarist Neil Dwerryhouse, who’s been touring with Burgess for a good few years now. Burgess drinks in the audience’s elation as he takes up his spot, centre-stage of Edinburgh’s Liquid Room, while Smithies steps back and forth, as chilled as a dip in the Forth. Tonight they’re playing 1985’s What Does Anything Mean? Basically, follow up to 1983’s debut, Script of the Bridge which is frequently lauded as one of the seminal post-punk records, and from which that chiming dual-guitar sound emerged, so synonymous with early goth and shoegaze. But let’s get this clear, these guys aren’t goths, when they started out it wasn’t even really a thing as far as music genres were concerned.
Burgess sets things straight from the word go: “We’re playing through What Does Anything Mean? Basically, so don’t bother shouting out for anything else”. Ok that’s us told, but the glint in those smiling eyes speaks volumes, as the encore later reveals. They play through the album in chronological order and while this can result in a loss of spontaneity, on the plus side, it does mean you can safely pop to the loo without missing your favourite number.
They open with the brooding Silence, Sea and Sky, a synthesised number which tonight Burgess philosophises over “So this is the jet age, too many dead friends…” before blasting into Perfumed Garden. Now if you ever had any doubts about how The Chameleons made their mark on Interpol’s sound, this is the number for you. Burgess’s face contorts with every word of his icy, echoing vocals, but there’s a sense of calm in the mesmerising melodies. Unfulfilled dreams and the political turbulence of the ‘80s strike through Singing Rule Britannia, while the uplifting On The Beach and introspective but idyllic Looking Inwardly see momentum build in the crowd, especially among younger members of the audience (yes there are quite a few of those, which always gives hope for the future). With their clashing chorus of textured guitars, and resonant vocals falling into space, The Chameleons’ ethereal sound permeates every corner of the Liquid Room.
Completing the set is energetic debut single In Shreds, and Nostalgia, with those poignant words “tomorrow, remember yesterday”, Burgess afterwards emphatic in how we must appreciate life, it’s over in a flash.
The band really comes to life during the encore, the rolling rhythms of 1986’s Caution contrasting beautifully with its desperate lyrics, followed by another Strange Times favourite, Swamp Thing, its driving bass building to the crowd’s delight. The deliciously despondent Up the Down Escalator is next up as we wallow in the moment.
Burgess dedicates the last number, fan favourite, Second Skin, to a crew member who’s had some bad news and is unable to be there. His concern is palpable as he preaches to us that no one is alone, now is continuous and, well you know, that sort of thing. By this point his bass is firmly in the talented hands of their delighted keyboard player, the mood lifting as he lets go a bit now the bass isn’t hanging off his padded shoulders. Before long the mic stand is carried off and Burgess plunges into the crowd, or rather, the narrow pit. It’s a tiny venue and there’s of course no glory strip, but for a second I imagine him doing his Bono-like stadium run, something he would truly deplore! Second Skin encompasses all things Chameleons in the dreamlike atmosphere it evokes, and the haunting wails of “I dedicate this melody to you” is spine-tingling. As he makes his perilous journey back to the stage, it’s hit or miss whether he’ll conquer it or not, but his trusty roadie holds out a steady hand to save the day. You see the relief in his face as The Chameleons live to play another gig. What a legend, Mark!
It’s been an amazing performance and these guys are as potent as ever. If you can’t catch any of the remaining dates, they’re touring with The Mission and Theatre of Hate in the USA later this year…it’s a long shot but you never know your luck…
Check out our review of support act The Membranes >>
Words: Shirley Mack @musingsbymarie
Pictures: Calum Mackintosh @ayecandyphotography